Ázeo is the project of winemaker Joăo Brito e Cunha (above).
Previously winemaker at Lavradores de Feitoria, he now works as a
consultant winemaker for a number of producers, including Churchill
Estates. He’s been developing his own wines since 2002/3. His aim
is to make gastronomic terroir wines with good acidity.

We are learning a lot, says Joăo. ‘The diversity in
the Douro is enormous. As you start doing your work, you are
learning’. He’s very keen on Viosinho for whites. ‘For me
Viosinho could be the most promising white grape variety in the
Douro’.

Ázeo Branco 2007 DouroMostly Viosinho with some Gouveio and Rabigato; mixed soils, 60
year old vines, fermented in wood. Fresh, bright, pure and crisp
with nice minerality and acidity. Very fresh. 88/100

Ázeo
Tinto 2005 DouroWith fruit from both the Douro Superior and the Cima Corgo: Joăo
wants to combine the ripeness of the Superior with the freshness and
structure from the Cima Corgo. Sweet, dense and quite intense with
lovely freshness and spiciness. Dense and structured, yet with
lovely purity. A powerful, intense, darkly fruited wine. 93/100

Quinta
de Săo José 2005 Douro
This is Joăo’s family property, located in front of Romaneira,
with north-facing schistous slopes. Beautifully pure, fresh,
expressive elegant dark fruits on the nose with good acidity.
Deliciously bright and expressive with nice weight, good
concentration and real purity. I love the freshness of this wine.
93/100